Digital Organoleptic Fingerprints for Plant Identification: Toward Olfactory Taxonomy | Oct-2026
Abstract
The identification and classification of plant species traditionally rely on morphological characteristics, genetic markers, and chemical composition. However, plants also emit complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that generate characteristic odor profiles, which can serve as species-specific signatures. In this study, we propose a novel framework for plant identification based on digital organoleptic fingerprints, generated through quantitative transformation of volatile composition into sensory vectors expressed in VAL units.
To demonstrate the utility and universality of this approach, two primary case studies involving closely related and economically significant botanical species are presented. First, Rosa damascena and Rosa centifolia demonstrate differentiation between a high-intensity, multi-dimensional monoterpene profile (7.64 Val) and a phenethyl alcohol-dominated profile (~5.5 Val). Second, Lavandula angustifolia (True Lavender) and Lavandula × intermedia (Lavandin) highlight subtle intraspecific/hybrid differentiation within the Lamiaceae family, where L. angustifolia presents a refined, sweet-floral profile (55.218 Val) and L. × intermedia exhibits a sharper, camphoraceous-fresh profile (56.953 Val).
These findings support the concept that plant species and hybrids can be identified and classified based on their digital odor signatures, introducing a quantitative sensory dimension to chemotaxonomy and establishing the foundation for olfactory taxonomy.
Dr. Michael Zviely | MAMAY
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